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Van der Mark enjoys "incredible" Race 2 at Assen!

Sunday, 14 April 2019 16:04 GMT

The Dutch hero returned to the Assen podium for a second consecutive year, and is back at the front in WorldSBK!

The TT Circuit Assen has seen many legends take victories and witnessed some incredible battles throughout the 28 seasons of WorldSBK racing at the venue. However, local hero Michael van der Mark made more fantastic memories this weekend in front of the Dutch crowd! The Pata Yamaha WorldSBK Team rider not only qualified on the front row but took two incredible podiums, even holding off Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) in Race 2.

In a weekend that has seen snowy, rainy and windy conditions, Michael van der Mark wasn’t fussed throughout, placing on the front row for the first time in three years on Saturday. Race 1 saw him surge back through the pack to take a fine third, whereas in Race 2, he beat Rea in a head-to-head battle on the final lap to take second – only behind runaway title leader Alvaro Bautista (ARUBA.IT Racing – Ducati).

Speaking after his home event, van der Mark said: “It was a really incredible Race 2! Not only do the crowd enjoy it, but I think the riders do too! We had a front group of six riders I think and there were so many nice battles going on! Sometimes, when I tried to overtake some people I was in a bit of the wrong position! I think at a certain point I was sixth, which is not where I wanted to be!”

The TT Circuit Assen venue has marked van der Mark’s first podiums since 2018, when he was third in Race 2 at Magny-Cours. It also keeps Yamaha’s run of top ten finishes going from Race 2 at Losail in 2017, an astonishing record for the Japanese manufacturer.

Continuing to discuss his performances, van der Mark stated: “In the last few laps, I saw that I was catching Jonny and I was pushing so hard. I always knew he was strong at the end but I just wanted to give it a try! I saw I was stronger, especially in the last sector and two laps before the end I passed him and tried to push as hard as possible. We had a nice battle and he nearly passed me on the start and finish but didn’t!”

Michael van der Mark will look to continue his podium run on into Italy and the Imola circuit, where he has never stood on the rostrum!

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